PAST POLITICIANS A HEAVY DEATH-ROLL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 150, 26 June 1915, Page 3

PAST POLITICIANS A HEAVY DEATH-ROLL

TRIBUTES IN PARLIAMENT. The death-roll among former politicians has been very heavy since Parliament last met, and many of the voices once heard in the lobbies, will be heard no more. For an hour yesterday afternoon the time of the House of Representatives was devpted to the paying of tributes to departed comrades, and there was an air of impressive solemnity while the proceedings, lasted. LATE MR. JOHN BOLLARD. "One of Nature's gentlemen," was the Prime Minister's definition of the late Mr. John Bollard, member for Eden, when moving that the House of Representatives record its high sense of the faithful service rendered to New Zealand by the deceased politician, and that it respectfully tender' to his wife and family its sympathy with them in their bereavement. In outlining Mr. Bollard's career, Mr. Massey said he had been continuously the member for Eden for eighteen years. For fifty-four years he was a member of the Avondale School Committee, and for fifty-one years was chairman-^probably a world's record. He was a genial and unassuming man, loved by all who knew him for his gentle ways and sterling work. Sir Joseph Ward, and Messrs. A. M. Myers, A. Harris, and C- J. Parr, C.M.G., also paid tri : butes to the memory of the late Mr. Bollard. The last-named, who succeeded Mr. Bollard as member for Eden, delivered his maiden speech in the House. It was brief and to the point. He stated that the late Mr. Bollard was one of his oldest, if not his oldest,^ personal friends. The resolution was carried. ' LATE MR. F. Y. LETHBRIDGE. The Prime , Minister moved — "That the House place on record its high sense of the invaluable services rendered to the country by the late Mr. F. Y. Lethbridge, a former member of the House, and respectfully tenders to his relatives its sincere sympathy." Mr. Massey briefly traced the public career of the deceased. Mr. Lethbridge had been one of the most popular men in the House, and a keen student of politics. He (Mr. Massoy) had been a personal friend of the 'deceased's, and had never known a better or truer man. His memory would always be recalled with kindly thought, and spoken of with kindly word. Sir Joseph Ward said they would always remember' the deceased as a kindly man and one whom ' they could implicitly trust in confidence upon any matters. It) was this trait that had endeared him to those opposed to him in politics. He had always exercised a quiet but sure influence in political matters. , Mr. D. Guthrie, who i\ow occupies the seat held by Mr. Lethbridge, added warm tributes to the political and personal worth of the deceased. LATE MR. FELIX M'GUIRE. Sympathetic reference to the iate Mr* Felix M'Guire, also a one-time member of the House, was then made by the Prime Minister. Mr.' Massey said that although not many of the present members would remember the deceased gentleman, those who did do so would recollect him as a typical Irishman—quickwitted and genial, successful in business, and commanding the respect of his constituents. Other speakers spoke in high terms of the late Mr. M'Guire, including Sir Joseph ' Ward, who mentioned the fact that deceased had won the Maori War medal, of which he was- very proud. A resolution of sympathy was tendered by the House to deceased's wife and family. LATE HON. W. MONTGOMERY. _ The Hon. James Allen moved a resolution placing on record the services to the country of the late Hon. W. Montgomery, a former member of the House and Legislative Council, and of respectful sympathy with tho bereaved family. Mr. Allen said it was' fitting he should move the resolution. The deceased had been a personal friend and his eldest son was • his (Mr. Allen's) son-in-law. The deceased had had a great public career, and when at the age of 94 years he passed away,* he left a great record behind him. Mr. Allen knew no one with a .stronger personality, or a mah of broader sympathies, and yet no one more determined to do what he believed to be right. Sir Joseph Ward said that Mr. Allen had very ably referred to one of their most distinguished past public men ; and he spoke at length in recalling what the deceased had done in the service of the country and in adding his own personal high appreciation of the deceased. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes and Mr. G. W. Russell also paid tributes to the deceased, the former to the deceased's lovable personality and the latter to his work in education. » Hon. D. Buddo added further enthusiastic recollections of the Jato Mr. Montgomery. LATE HON.E. RICHARDSON, CM. G. Another politician of a former generation whom death has claimed is the Hon. E. Richardson, C.M.G., who died at the age of 84 years. The Prime Minister, referring to the late Mr. Richardson, said that he had always played his part in political life, at one time being Minister of Public Works, when Sir Julius Vogel was in power. The Leader f)i the Opposition endorsed the laudatory views of Mr. Richardson's character expressed by the Prime Minister, and the customary vote of condolence was passed. LATE HON. E. C. J. STEVENS, The Premier moved a similar resolution recording the services of the late Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, a former member of both Houses of Parliament, and expressing sympathy with the bereaved relatives. Mr. Massey traced deceased's public and private life, and said that his name had at one time been well known in public affairs. He bad taken a prominent part in laying the foundation of the Public Trust Office. He was a man who never boasted, but there were few in public life who had been keener or more active in public affairs. Sir Joseph Ward said they were ■ all acquainted with the deceased — to gome extent a self-contained man, but one who would, always discuss with anyone interested matters such as finance, with which he had a very deep knowledge. They could only feel the deepest regret that so great a public man had passed away. The motion was passed. LATE HON. F. ASKWRIGHT. Feeling reference was also made by Mr. Massey to the late Hon. F. Arkwrighfc, a former Mj.L.C., who died in London. In moving a resolution similar to those already passed, tbe Prime Minister mentioned that the lals gentleman was appointed to the Council in 1895, reappointed in 1902, resigned in 1906, said since that date liad resided in the Old Country. Although he> was not personally acquainted with deceased, those who knew him had the greatest respect for him. Sentiments in a similar strain to those heard in the Lower House weT3 also expressed in the Legislative Council, which also passed' a resolution of condolence with the bereaved family in each instance.